Atlanta City Council votes to support same-sex marriage

ATLANTA -- In a largely symbolic move, the Atlanta City Council voted Monday to pass a resolution supporting same-sex marriage.

The measure holds no legal power, nor does it affect the Georgia law banning same-sex marriage. But District 6 Councilman Alex Wan, who sponsored the resolution, said passing the resolution is about sending a message.

"I wanted us to go on the record and say we supported marriage equality," Wan said. "I wanted us to be part of the dialogue. I wanted us to be a leader in the conversation about marriage equality across the country."

Wan, the only openly gay member of Atlanta City Council, said the resolution had been in the works for months, during which time he gathered votes from his colleagues. It passed with an 11-2 vote; members Howard Shook and C.T. Martin voted no.

A spokesman for Mayor Kasim Reed simply said the mayor respects the council's decision. Mayor Reed has previously stopped short of endorsing same-sex marriage, saying in May that he was "still wrestling" with his personal beliefs on the issue.